Republican National Committee chairman Reince Preibus appeared to be one of the first to respond, putting out a email statement just minutes after the Labor Department issued the October jobs report at 8:30am ET. Preibus said the numbers, which showed the economy adding half as many jobs in October as it added in September, were indicative of a president distracted by his re-election campaign.
"While President Obama spent October on the campaign trail, the American people endured another month of unacceptably high unemployment," Preibus said in a statement issued Friday. "Today's jobs numbers underscore the devastating toll President Obama's record of over-regulation, tax threats and reckless spending has taken on the American economy."

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney went after Obama for his stance on federal spending and debt, saying it was hurting job creation.

“President Obama’s reckless spending and trillion dollar deficits are hurting this economy and stifling job growth," Romney said in a statement. "Today’s employment report is a reminder that America continues to face a jobs crisis of historic proportions. At this rate, it will take years to get back the jobs that have been lost under President Obama. October marked the thirty-third consecutive month that the unemployment rate has been above 8%. It is time to once again unleash the tremendous economic potential of the American people, but that can’t happen until President Obama is defeated.”

Texas Gov. Rick Perry identified government regulations as a cause for high unemployment.

"Today's jobs report showing the lowest growth in four months proves that American employers remain burdened by uncertainty and excessive taxes and regulations," Perry said Friday. "American workers and taxpayers need a president committed to private sector job creation and fiscal sanity in Washington, D.C. As president, I will fundamentally change Washington by cutting taxes to a low, flat 20 percent, cutting federal spending and regulations, and ending bailouts to protect taxpayers and jumpstart American job creation."

"President Obama joined with the Occupy Wall Street protesters who believe that the problem we face is capitalism, the free markets and job creators. It's not," Bachmann said in a statement. "This is more crony capitalism – forcefully taking your money for the purpose of paying off a politician's political friends. If we are ever to get out of this ditch, President Obama, the Democrats and Occupy Wall Street need to wake up and stop blaming job creators for the failures created by selfish politicians."

Former Utah Gov. and ambassador to China Jon Huntsman, also a candidate for the 2012 GOP presidential nomination, issued a statement through his spokesman painting himself as the best candidate to speed up economic growth.

"Jon Huntsman has proposed the most pro-growth plan to turn our economy around and he has the record to back it up, taking Utah to first in the nation in job growth," Huntsman spokesman Tim Miller said.

"We can and must do better," John Tate said. “More federal intervention is not the answer; it will only dig a deeper hole. Few in government seem to realize this."

House Speaker John Boehner used the jobs numbers to call on Senate Democrats to take action on jobs bills that passed the Republican-controlled House.

"Senate Democrats are out of excuses and the president must call on them to act," Boehner said in a statement. "The House has voted to remove government obstacles to desperately needed jobs - and we've done it in a bipartisan way. At a time when these bipartisan jobs bills are stalled in the Senate, it is unacceptable for the White House to be anything less than 100 percent engaged in the legislative process."

soundoff(67 Responses)

And that Jobs bill?

Seems that the Republicans spend far more time looking for ways to criticize than to take real action. How about actually debating and taking some votes on the jobs bill? No, that's too hard and might actually lead to some successes. It's easier to snipe.

November 4, 2011 10:06 am at 10:06 am |

Gloria in NW

The Senate Democrats must act??!! The Republicans just stonewalled another section of the jobs bill, one that would have financed infrastructure jobs. What are we, following Alice around through the looking glass, where reality is reversed? The sad thing is that so many people believe any lie the GOP puts out.

November 4, 2011 10:10 am at 10:10 am |

John

Well you republican had nothing to do with It. So stop trying to take the Credit. You Republican don't know how to say anything but NO.

November 4, 2011 10:11 am at 10:11 am |

Tony

So, have Republicans in Congress proposed any jobs bill?

November 4, 2011 10:11 am at 10:11 am |

A Repulbican

same old politics. I wonder how things would be if we banned presee releases? It's always a game of how cleaver can we be to balme the other side. I'm so tired of the same old thing. I have an idea, give me my tax dollars back that pay for the congress salary, government healthcare and alltheir cronies that put out negative press releases. That would be a day, when we get rid of all politicans and their staff.

November 4, 2011 10:12 am at 10:12 am |

Stop the Charade

With what type of pretzel logic do Reince Preibus and the GOP explain that the lowering of taxes for whom they herald as "job creators" is not creating enough jobs. Oh, I forgot the GOP wants to roll back regulations and get rid of government so that their rich corporate masters can enjoy another run as the Robber Barons, where the 99% of us are just a labor force put on earth for to produce wealth for the 1%. You only have to look at yestersay's vote in the Senate and the absurd remarks by Boehner about the the infrastructure bill he is going to introduce to see that the GOP is the emenmy of the people of this country.

November 4, 2011 10:12 am at 10:12 am |

Kyle

"While President Obama spent October on the campaign trail, the American people endured another month of unacceptably high unemployment." The president does not have much sway in month to month job creation, as is the case with congress. How about the GOP stop worrying about abortion rights, restricting the rights of LGBT citizens and any number of unnecessary measures and start worrying about passing measures to promote growth and create jobs!

November 4, 2011 10:13 am at 10:13 am |

United We Stood

That's rich. How about passing the jobs bill Rethugs.

November 4, 2011 10:15 am at 10:15 am |

Michael Q

Are these Republicans for REAL? REALLY! Let me get this straight, in the last months of Bush's last term, how many hundreds of thousands of jobs were being lost each month? Alright it wasn't Bush's fault so it had to be Obama's fault. Yes, Obama is lucky he keeps nibbling away at it by adding a few thousand each and every month, but if we just give a few more tax breaks to the real private citizens who do create jobs, all will suddenly be well. Wait, by extending the last of the Bush cuts for two years, those rich job creators went out there and created more jobs, or did they just hoard the savings? Get rid of these Republicans in the Congress and the Senate to see this country really grow without all the negative "No's". The Republicans have no contact with the middle or lower classes except to keep promising, but never delivering.

November 4, 2011 10:21 am at 10:21 am |

RW

It is amazing that the GOP can block specific, well defined jobs bills proposed by the President as well as tax relief, spending measures, and cost control proposals, but still be in complete denial that they, the GOP, share any blame in the continuing situation that they themselves created in the first place. The Peter Principle is alive and well in the Republican Party, with their incompetence, greed, and hypocrisy in full view nearly every hour of every day.

November 4, 2011 10:24 am at 10:24 am |

Andrew

Takes real nerve to criticize the president on job creation when he is the one pushing a jobs plan and the GOP is the one blocking it.

November 4, 2011 10:26 am at 10:26 am |

Quian

Republicans are so full out it. They're blocked the jobs bill that would have brought in millions of jobs because it would raise .7 percent to those who make millions and billions of dollar. I hope these devils get thrown out this November.

November 4, 2011 10:27 am at 10:27 am |

Rob in Austin

I'm really over the whole ordeal. This is just school children behavior. The American people hired members of congress through elections. We should be able to fire them before their term ends. Both sides talk about the pain of the people hurting. Well cut the bs and work together.

November 4, 2011 10:27 am at 10:27 am |

FDA

So pass the jobs bill! Even if it's not enough it's a start! Don't sabotage the economy just to get Obama out of office!

November 4, 2011 10:31 am at 10:31 am |

Dave Harris

This is particularly ironic, since it is Republicans who are blocking most efforts to create jobs, even ones they previously supported. They will oppose any attempt to reduce unemployment, since they hope to use the issue to restore themselves to power. The more they can damage the country and make people suffer, the better for the Party.

November 4, 2011 10:32 am at 10:32 am |

Lynda/Minnesota

I've never seen so many Republicans so ready to use the suffering of so many Americans as a political tool. Each and every time they come out with their talking point garbage it lowers my respect for each and every one of them. Getting into the minus double digit category real fast.

November 4, 2011 10:33 am at 10:33 am |

David

Will someone please wake me when the republicans actually start giving a damn about helping this country?

November 4, 2011 10:33 am at 10:33 am |

vic , nashville ,tn

RNC chairman Reince Preibus doesn’t have any clue at all

Exactly 2 years back people who supported tea party now supporting occupy movement why they got the pink slip because budget cut

November 4, 2011 10:36 am at 10:36 am |

Kevin in Atlanta

Obama could bring unemployment down to 3%, end every war in the Middle East, and save a nun from a burning building; and the GOP would still call him the devil.

November 4, 2011 10:38 am at 10:38 am |

ST

GOP must be thankful that someone is rescuing the ship which they sunk with their negligence. Without any shame they are coming up criticising????Absurd.

November 4, 2011 10:38 am at 10:38 am |

once upon a horse

maybe just MAYBE if the Republicans had helped pass a jobs bill the numbers would have gone up. Who ran on the platform of JOBS, JOBS, JOBS last November? The ones that are doing the least to create them that's who.

November 4, 2011 10:41 am at 10:41 am |

James B

Republican comments are simply incredulous on job growth and employment. The Republican led congress has declared war on the "average American" and is doing everything possible to ensure an increase in job losses. In spite of Republicans, the economy is showing resiliance in the face of structural imbalance and partisan politics. It is a net positive that the last few months have seen revised figures showing a strengthing job market in the US. In short, this report is very good news by any stretch of the imagination. In the last 3 months, about 350,000 jobs have been added. Republicans can spend all they want, but I suspect we could have many more jobs if Republicans stop dragging their feet and get in the game for the American people.

November 4, 2011 10:43 am at 10:43 am |

roro

How about you obstructionist Republicans pass the president's jobs bill, and stop blocking all his efforts to overcome this Republican-caused recession? The fact that you are putting politics above the welfare of the citizens of this country prove that you only care about the rich, corporations, and your own selfish motives. You should all be ashamed of yourselves for making this about yourselves instead of this country. How can you block Obama on everything he's tried to do, and then blame him for not getting anything done? It would be laughable if it wasn't so criminal.

November 4, 2011 10:44 am at 10:44 am |

Orchid333

If the Republican's are going to be so quick to criticize, then I expect them to do something about unemployment besides tout about giving the rich a tax break!
Like it or not the economy IS improving, albeit ever so slightly, but it's consistent. I've managed to keep my business doors open and even hire an employee, and my husband was able to find a job, even if it is outside of his expertise. There are jobs out there for those who really want them.
I think there are two problems stalling lower unemployment rates: Big companies are making record profits and want to keep them for a while longer, so they're not hiring. And there are those people who are "waiting" for their perfect job instead of going to work anywhere in the interim. They'd rather stay home and collect their checks. I'm an Independent, and from where I sit, the problems lay on both sides of the political coin.

November 4, 2011 10:47 am at 10:47 am |

American

And Preibus is not focusing on an "election campaign" at all...hypocrite.

It's sadly revealing how these negative Republicans still criticize against even positive news, while Boehner's House GOP fail to pass any meaningful job bills that share sacrifices needed to move America forward.